Written Answers

Friday 21 July 2000

Scottish Executive

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6644 by Susan Deacon on 26 June 2000, when the report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones will be made available to the Parliament; whether the research which it is commissioning as a result of this report will include an investigation into the safety of mobile phone use by children, and whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government requesting that funding for any such research be made available from the money raised by the auction of spectrum licences for third generation mobile communications.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive and UK Government have accepted the recommendation of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones for a substantial UK research programme. The IEGMP identified a number of areas for further research including epidemiological studies of children and individuals who might be more susceptible to RF radiation. The research programme planned should have sufficient resources to implement the recommendations of the IEGMP, but decisions on which projects to support will be made by an Independent Panel who will be appointed to manage the programme.

  The question raised about the funding of the research programme was addressed in my response to Scottish parliamentary question S1W-6644.

  I have asked my officials to ensure that copies of the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones are placed in the Parliament Reference Centre, as soon as is practicable.

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to conduct a quinquennial review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

Mr Alasdair Morrison: A review of the JNCC will begin shortly and be overseen by a steering group involving officials from the Scottish Executive. In accordance with standard practice, the review will begin by examining the functions and structure of the JNCC before moving on, if appropriate, to look at performance issues. Detailed terms of reference are being drawn up. I expect the review to be completed by the early summer of 2001.

Ministerial Correspondence

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4192 by Donald Dewar on 13 April 2000, whether it will detail by department, including the First Minister’s Office, its performance in relation to its targets for replying to correspondence from MPs or MSPs for the period 1 March to 30 April.

Donald Dewar: The information requested in relation to the target of 17 working days for the period 1 March to 30 April 2000 is detailed in the table below. The figures include correspondence sent to the First Minister, which is distributed among departments according to the subject matter of the letters.

  


Department


Number of replies 
issued


% of replies to 
MPs or MSPs issued within 17 working day target




TOTAL


1,466


41%




Crown Office


55


43%




Development


488


43%




Education


163


37%




Enterprise & Lifelong Learning


129


39%




Health


181


37%




Justice


223


38%




Rural Affairs


204


49%




Others


23


35%




  The performance against target figures reflects the increased number of letters received by Ministers. A new computer-based ministerial correspondence system is now fully operational across the Executive. This system utilises scanning and electronic transmission technology to speed up turnaround times.

Rail Network

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the various transport authorities concerning the establishment of a north/south Glasgow crossrail service.

Sarah Boyack: I refer Ms White to my answer to question S1O-2132 and the subsequent supplementary questions.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Scheme

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive,  further to the answer to question S1W-5956 by Sarah Boyack on 22 May 2000, when it will bring forward the Dissolution Order to wind up the Scottish Transport Group and allow the surplus in its pension scheme to be paid out.

Sarah Boyack: I refer Karen Gillon to the answer I gave to question S1W-6117 on 26 June 2000.